Gracia
Ethnobotanicals
chinchilejo tours
since
1992
Peru: The Magical Mystery Tour
Medical:
Some
countries recommend that you take a variety of shots before coming to Peru. You
may do so if you like, however we take very good care of our groups and have had
not problems. You will also find that your county health advisors suggest that
you purchase anti-malaria medication. While it is possible to catch malaria, it
is extremely unlikely. We do not take any anti-malaria medications. If you have an existing medical
condition that we should be aware of, please advise us ahead of time (weak
cardiovascular, etc.) and we will adjust your program as necessary. You must
arrive with a permission slip from your doctor, giving you permission to
participate in this program, as well as a copy of your medical history so that
the doctors working with Gracia Ethnobotanicals can give you a check up and
permissions from Peru that you are able to take the remedy for diabetes II.
(“chinchilejo”
is a fully licensed tour company based in Iquitos, Peru and has been guiding
tours and expeditions since 1992. Entirely owned and operated by Mariella
Noriega. “chinchilejo” is pronounced: chin - chi - lay´ - ho. It is from the
ancient Quechua language that is still in use today. The English translation
means: Dragonfly.)
Come
with us on a Magical Mystery Tour of some of the most incredible sights in all of
the World. Come with us and let us show you why we love Peru. Chinchilejo is a
corporation owned entirely by Mariella Noriega, a Peruvian born and raised in
Iquitos, Peru - a friendly city of 300,000 inhabitants nestled on the banks of
the Amazon River. Mariella is a professional guide and has been running tours in
Peru for the last 8 years. She is married to an American, Alan Shoemaker who
also assists her on “chinchilejo tours.” She also speaks English but has
assistants that can be brought in for groups that speak fluent Chinese, French,
and Italian. If other languages are needed, Mariella has extensive contacts and
will supply the group with the translator needed.
Day 1: One day in Lima
exploration: visit the Cathedral on the Plaza de
Armas, the
Gold Museum
and the
Catacombs
of
San Francisco
.
We'll take private minibuses for this one-day tour.
The beautiful Mayor’s building in the affluent section of Lima called:
“Miraflores”
in English this means: Look at the flowers.
Cathedral - Lima
Bones and bones and bones: The Catacombs of Lima,
Peru.
Day 2: Early plane to Cuzco,
the capital of the ancient Incan empire
called
Tawantinsuyo, the "Four Quarters of the Empire".
The name of
Cuzco
is a Spanish version of the native word
Q'osqo
, which means the "Navel of the Universe".
Pick up at airport and transport to the
Hotel Monastario
, one of the few truly 5-Star hotels in
Peru. At the hotel we will have a coca
leaf divining ceremony in the open courtyard as we drink coca tea, which is an
excellent way to combat the altitude. Private car this morning to the colonial town and
archaeological site of Pisaq.
In the town on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, a popular handicraft fair
takes place under the main square's century-old tree, with wares displayed on vividly
patterned and colored textiles. On Sundays, the traditional mass is held in
Quechua, the Inca language, at the local church, which is attended by the
village leaders from the surrounding communities.
Return to
Cuzco
.
In the evening we will explore the Plaza and its fantastic shopping: Truly one of the extraordinary
markets for alpaca articles and Peruvian fine art in the World. Following this
we will dine in one of the fine restaurants on the Plaza offering traditional
Peruvian highland dancing. The evening will end in a private minibus to the
mountainsides overlooking the city lights of Cuzco.
LLama
Sacsahuaman
Day 3: Travel to several of the sites
around Cuzco by private minibus as we continue
to acclimate. There are a number of interesting ruins, at least two of which are
particularly geared toward feminine energy and a must.
Return to Cuzco at about 3pm, free time till 5pm. At five
we'll take our minibus up to Sacsayhuaman, the immense religious center/fortress just outside
Cuzco. Our
guide will accompany us to explain some of the theories about this
spectacular site, including what it might have been used for and how it might
have been built. There, as the sun sets, we will walk down from Sacsayhuaman to Cuzco,
a beautiful, spectacular time down a narrow, stepped street which will lead us
back to our 5-Star “Hotel Monastario” and a fine
dinner. The evening will end in a private minibus to the mountainsides
overlooking the city lights of Cuzco.
Sacsayhuaman
The unique village
of Aguas Calientes - translation: “Hot Water”
Day 4-5: An early start with a train to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. The ride is one of the world's most
fascinating train rides, taking us up and over the mountains ringing Cuzco valley and into and through the Sacred Valley. We'll check into our hotel in the
small quaint town nestled at the base of the mountain, Aguas Calientes (Hot Water).
Train
through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Local color in
Aguas Calientes
This day is for
exploring this interesting town and perhaps lounging in the hot springs for
which the town gets its name. The following day we take a bus up the mountain to
Machu Picchu to explore the ancient and mystical
ruins. Those who wish may hike/climb to Winya Picchu
peak or walk to the Portal of the Sun. We'll catch the late-afternoon
train back to Cuzco and arrive at about 10pm,
rechecking into the Hotel.
Day 6: Our private minibus tours our group into
“The Sacred Valley” to explore two or three of
the ancient cities and ruins there. Our bus will continue on through the early
evening to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, stopping along the way for photos and
taking at least an hour or two beneath the spectacular nighttime sky of the
region, truly one of the most fantastic sky-views in the world.
Lake Titicaca
Day 7: A day on the Lake Titicaca exploring the floating islands and
ancient way of life of the highest navigable lake in the world.
The
floating schollhouse
Day 8: Our bus will make it's way from Puno down the Andes to
the coastal highway, where we will drive along the Pacific ocean to Nazca, home of the ancient Nazca lines. There, we will take a hotel for our
flight over the Nazca lines the following
morning.
An
example of the many “Nacza lines”
Day 9: Small plane flight over Nazca lines. From there our minibus will take us north
along the coast through Ica and on to Lima for
the night.
Into
the jungles bordering the majestic “Amazon River” - the stealthy Jaguar
Day 10-11-12: Morning flight to Iquitos,
heart of the
Peruvian Amazon. Transfer to the air
conditioning of the large boats for a three day tour of the Amazon, jungle, night time crocs, bird watching,
indigenous villages, small towns and their arts and crafts deep in the jungle.
One of the riverboats used to travel the
“Amazon River”
“Amazon jungle colors come in more than
shades of green”
Young “Bora” tribal girl
Dancing with the “Bora Tribe”
Very nicely built
indigenous village entrance
Day 13: Flight Iquitos to Lima. Transfer to the Hotel. Lunch and shopping in
“Miraflores”.
Day 14: Loose ends and goodbyes. Some of
the group will have early morning transfers to the airport.
chinchilejo
tours
(DRAGONFLY)
experienced
tour operators since 1992
Contact:
chinchilejo@hotmail.com
Telephone:
(+) 51-94-94-1153
Morona
531
Iquitos,
Peru SA
Tour
dates for 2004: The Dates are
the middle two weeks of every month, beginning in Feburary.
Prices: Two
weeks - $5300 US A deposit of $1100
is due 60 days before arrival to hold your space. Groups are limited to 12
people. The remainder is due when we check you into your hotel. Payments are
best expedited via bank to bank wire transfer.
Account
name: Mariella Noriega
Bank: Banco Wiese Sudameris
City: Iquitos, Peru SA
Account
Number: 760-7044088
SWIFT
code: BSUDPEPL
Full
Refunds will
be returned no later than 30 days before arrival. 50% refunds will be returned
up to 14 days before arrival. Chinchilejo reserves the rights to use other
hotels rather than the ones mentioned above. Sometimes accommodations are fully
booked but we always have nice hotels and Amazon river transport.
Inclusive:
From
the moment you touch down at the airport in Lima to the moment we bring you back
to the Lima airport. The only expenses you will incur are your lunch and dinner.
Tipping is recommended from time to time. There are a variety of incredible
restaurants and you have your choice for dinner so that you may eat where you
desire.
Recommendations:
While
there are ATM machines that are very accessible, we recommend that you bring
cash. Travelers Checks are okay but there is usually a charge for cashing them.
You can purchase a hidden money belt at almost any hiking or travel store.
Voltage is 220. There will be many opportunities for shopping in Lima and Cuzco,
as well as many arts and crafts shows held by the local communities and
indigenous. Arrangements can also be made with a freight forwarder to ship any
larger items you might wish to purchase. In many areas you will see children
that are living from hand to mouth. If you can, a bag of gifts is always a nice
surprise. This could be pencils and erasers, socks, scribble pads, and other
interesting things you might think of to give away. (Small disposal flashlights
for example).
Clothing
and Supplies: Machu
Picchu and Cuzco are at high altitude and chilly at night. Rather than burden
yourself by carrying extra sweaters, we highly recommend that you purchase a
beautiful alpaca sweater in Cuzco. A rain jacket should be brought with you and
can be used in the jungle as well. Comfortable lightweight hiking boots with all
cotton socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, long pants, shorts for the Amazon, a “Deet”
variety of insect repellant (your local hiking shop can recommend a brand),
camera and film, sun/rain hat, day pack, binoculars, flashlight.
Your Security:
Peru
is one of the friendliest countries
in South America. Your guides always take precautions to insure your safety.
Travel will be in private mini buses and your hotels are chosen for privacy and
security as well as comfort. Peru has an amazing variety of food from the coast
to the highlands and into the jungle. While most meals are based around fish,
chicken and red meats, there are many vegetarian dishes that are quite tasty
too, so if you are a vegetarian do not be concerned.
chinchilejo tours
(dragonfly)
since 1992
Director:
Mariella Noriega and Alan Shoemaker
chinchilejo@hotmail.com
Iquitos, Peru SA
Morona 531
Iquitos, Perú
+ 5194 9937762
Mariella Noriega Piña De Shoemaker
Director/Directora
For more
information:
elixir@gracia.com
copyright © 2003 Gracia Ethnobotanicals E.I.R.L.
Webmaster: Lalo Calderon sirsteward99@yahoo.com
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